Question about Para 1911 .45 ACP

you could always go norinco, works great right out of the box, no break in period, i have used mine for ipsc besides plinking
 
misfire said:
... There are better 1911's out there for the same or less money. ....
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Would you mind giving some details, please! Don't get me wrong, I'm not questioning your experience or comments, I'm just genuinely curious and would like to know what you can get cheaper than 700$ that offers better quality than Para.

I have a Para P14/45 and I am fairly happy with it. No, I don’t think it’s the most refined 1911 out there, but I didn’t pay over $5,000 as some are asking for some STI models. I think the trigger on mine could be better, but for the love of me, I just can’t get mine to jam. However, if I can get a better one for less than $700, maybe it is time to dump it or just get a playmate for it. ;) Thanks.
 
Gun Lover said:
Would you mind giving some details, please! Don't get me wrong, I'm not questioning your experience or comments, I'm just genuinely curious and would like to know what you can get cheaper than 700$ that offers better quality than Para.

I have a Para P14/45 and I am fairly happy with it. No, I don’t think it’s the most refined 1911 out there, but I didn’t pay over $5,000 as some are asking for some STI models. I think the trigger on mine could be better, but for the love of me, I just can’t get mine to jam. However, if I can get a better one for less than $700, maybe it is time to dump it or just get a playmate for it. ;) Thanks.
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My comment would be in reference to the SSP which currently sells for around $1100 or more. In this price range there are the STI Trojans, Dan Wesson PM7 (although they have seen a price increase lately), Kimbers, Sigs and S&W's. At the price point that the Para GI Expert is to be expected $700(currently 750 at Ellwood Epps) I'd entertain a STI Spartan--slightly higher in cost but proven and STI doesn't make excuses when you have a warranty concern, BUL, Springfield GI, Taurus or even a, ugh, Norinco and put the difference into mods. There is also the used firearm market. For the record, I did not say that the SSP I had was problematic or inaccurate. Quite the opposite. It was reliable and accurate. I've might have been jaded by my dealings with Wedge but my used Colt Series 80 doesn't exhibit any peening when I bought it and still doesn't after a further 5-6000 rounds (I bought it used for 900 and has mods done by a gunsmith) and my DW PM7 (which cost me $25 more than the SSP) doesn't exhibit any peening after close to 1000 rounds wheras the slide on my Para started to exhibit peening after the first couple hundred of rounds. I'm glad you like your 14-45 but realize that it is a double stacked 1911 and is very different that the SSP or GI Expert which is single stacked. Like I said, your money, your choice but I'm done with Para.
 
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Walter Hornby said:
We won't talk about new gun for Nationals will we Jay :nest:
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No, we won't... Oh what the hell, here it goes!

Yes I shot my brand new Para at the Nationals last year and good old Murphy reared his ugly head a few times.

First, my Para was shipped direct to Lethbridge as North Sylva couldn't guarantee they could get it to me before I left Edmonton (I left about a week early and turned the trip into a vacation with the family). When it was delivered to me it was missing two mags, leaving me only 3 to compete with. I called North Sylva and they said they would sent the other 2 mags "out to me right away". Unfortunately they sent them to Edmonton instead of Lethbridge. Dejected, I went to the range and continued to help set up. I was feeling sorry for myself and was in the middle of a rant explaining what had happened and wouldn't you know it, but the guy working next to me happened to have his Para with him as a back-up gun and offered to lend me a couple of mags. I was overjoyed.

At the range, I test fired it, and... Wait for it, my ammo wouldn't chamber as there was a slight bulge at the base of my brass. The Para had a match barrel with a tight chamber and would not go fully into battery with my ammo. In all my years of reloading 9mm for my Sig 220, I never ran into that problem because the Sig would eat anything I fed it (I have since adjusted my press and have not had the same issue). So I wandered around in a daze until I found Walter and begged him to add an extra box of 9mm to his ammo order for the match. (did I mention this is the day before the pre-match?) Thanks Walter for coming through with flying colors!

My next issue was with my gear. In my rush to get out the door with the Wife, the boy, the trailer and my sanity, I brought the wrong holster. So on the morning of the pre-match, I tracked down my good samaretan and asked if I could use his holster as well. I feel that I must point out that I had my Sig with me (with all the correct pieces of kit, no less) and could have opted to shoot it instead of the Para but my stubborness kicked in and that was that.

So now I am off and running, using my new Para with less than 50 rounds through it. During the day I had a few stoppages that negatively affected my overall score (I know blaming the pistol is a poor excuse, but it is what it is. I blew at least 2 stages all by myself). Looking back, using a brand new pistol at the Nationals (or any match) was likely not the best decision I have ever made but I am still happy I did. Since then, my Para has seen over 2000 rounds and my last stoppage was back at about the 300 round mark. I love my Para and will likely be adding another to my collection shortly.


Words Twice
 
misfire said:
My comment would be in reference to the SSP which currently sells for around $1100 or more. In this price range there are the STI Trojans, Dan Wesson PM7 (although they have seen a price increase lately), Kimbers, Sigs and S&W's. At the price point that the Para GI Expert is to be expected $700(currently 750 at Ellwood Epps) I'd entertain a STI Spartan--slightly higher in cost but proven and STI doesn't make excuses when you have a warranty concern, BUL, Springfield GI, Taurus or even a, ugh, Norinco and put the difference into mods. There is also the used firearm market. For the record, I did not say that the SSP I had was problematic or inaccurate. Quite the opposite. It was reliable and accurate. I've might have been jaded by my dealings with Wedge but my used Colt Series 80 doesn't exhibit any peening when I bought it and still doesn't after a further 5-6000 rounds (I bought it used for 900 and has mods done by a gunsmith) and my DW PM7 (which cost me $25 more than the SSP) doesn't exhibit any peening after close to 1000 rounds wheras the slide on my Para started to exhibit peening after the first couple hundred of rounds. I'm glad you like your 14-45 but realize that it is a double stacked 1911 and is very different that the SSP or GI Expert which is single stacked. Like I said, your money, your choice but I'm done with Para.
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I agree, I really like my Spartan!!
 
STI, SVI, Para, even a well tuned Norc are all better values then a Colt. You pay a big premium for that name and if you want to buy in that price range, you'll get a better finished, more reliable pistol in an STI.

I have a Para and with only minor work it's turned out to be a great pistol. For what I paid, it's been pretty expensive to get to where I eventually wanted to be. I would have been better off financially to just drop $2000 on a nice STI will all the bells and whistles to begin with. :( Live and learn I guess.

If you don't plan to compete, have a limited budget, or just want a paper shooter for fun pistol then a $700 Para is a great deal. Just hope you don't get bit by the IPSC open bug :)
 
I am quite happy with my para SF-45A it still has teething issues(only 55 rnds on it) from super tight action and mag springs. I had a springfield GI and foun that it was not very reliable and finicky on mags and ammo. My old Norc was a little rough. I found my Kimber Target II was best but it was broken in and I hope my Para will match its performance. Buy what you like. I think the Para would be OK and Kimbers are great but they will cost you a bit more.
 
I just got a Para LTC .45 in a trade. I've only fired one box of ammo with it (most of them today). I'm very satisfied with the accuracy. First I was shooting a bit low and right but after adjusting the rear sight I was able to keep most of my shots in the black circle at 20 yards. I'm still getting used to the gun but it worked flawlessly. The trigger is really nice.
 
I had an SSP and noticed slide stop peening after 150-200 rounds! I was thinking WTF? Additionally, the finish on it, while initially shiny, started to wear off with only minimal handling. For the amount of money I paid ($900+) I was DISAPPOINTED. Now that Para has decided to abandon us here in Canada, I see no reason for me to support them with my dough. STI all the way!
 
Hopefully the guy who started this thead is still reading....

I have a Kimber Custom 2 in .45 and it is beautiful. nothing at all against PARA, infact my next pistol... or the one after that.... will be a .45 PARA

so if you want the classic 1911 look go for Kimber, but it will be alittle more expensive, I paid 880 in december and i think i got a pretty good deal
 
Well, I bought a Para Ordinance GI Expert .45 ACP at P&D Enterprises in Edmonton. With tax, right around $815.00.

I finally got out to the range with it yesterday since the snow has finally melted enough to get down the rather steep access road....and more importantly, back up afterward!

Anyhow, I had 200 rounds for it and now have 8 left (I held back one mag's worth, I doubt I need to explain.......lol)

The gun worked well except for two things. The sights need fine tuning. It was shooting about 6 inches left at 25 yards and I now have it down to about 2 inches.

The other issue was it doesn't always feed the ammo properly. It would stop with the next round about 3/4's loaded. A little tug back on the slide and the round would chamber. What I noticed was when this happened and I did tug back on the slide, the back end of the shell would move up a fraction of a inch and then load smoothly from there.

I think this might be one of three things.....either
1) a "break-in" issue that will go away
2) a cleaning issue
3) or possibly I may need to lessen the tension on the extractor.

I can rule out 1 and 2 on my next trip to the range (next weekend most likely as I have a .308 and .22 I need to sight in....lol) and if that fixes the issue I'm happy. If not, then I suspect I'll be taking it to a gunsmith *sigh*.

Overall, if I have to spend more $$$ on it to get it to perform properly (ie: not jam on reload), I will definitely be looking at other brand names like Kimber or Norinco, etc for my next purchase which will likely be another .45 semi.

If anybody reading this has had any similar experiences with Para .45 semi auto's and got it working properly I'd be VERY happy to hear from you. Especially if the solution doesn't cost me $$$.
 
The extractor on my P14-45 lost a little tension after a couple of thousand rounds, if I remember right, so I just adjusted it with my hands. After that, I just beveled and polished the bottom inside part of it (the way followed by the loaded round on its way up behind the extractor claw). About 3,000 rounds later, it hasn't given me the slightest problem.

I know I measured the tension weight, but I don't remember right now how heavy I set it. There's tons of info about it on the Internet, though, so it shouldn't be hard to find. For instance:

http://yarchive.net/gun/pistol/1911_extractor_tension.html

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/tech/reliability_secrets.htm

I hope this helps.
 
Gun Lover said:
The extractor on my P14-45 lost a little tension after a couple of thousand rounds, if I remember right, so I just adjusted it with my hands. After that, I just beveled and polished the bottom inside part of it (the way followed by the loaded round on its way up behind the extractor claw). About 3,000 rounds later, it hasn't given me the slightest problem.

I know I measured the tension weight, but I don't remember right now how heavy I set it. There's tons of info about it on the Internet, though, so it shouldn't be hard to find. For instance:

http://yarchive.net/gun/pistol/1911_extractor_tension.html

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/tech/reliability_secrets.htm

I hope this helps.
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Thanks a bunch for the info and the links, I really appreciate it!

I had a quick look at both links and will read them through more thoroughly later on and do more research if needed. I suspect that a little fine tuning of the extractor should fix the issue and it actually sounds like the beveling/polishing you did would work nicely on mine.
 
That's pretty common on 1911's. In fact almost all new extractors are the wrong shape (hard edges everywhere and slightly too thick), they do take some fiddling with to get just right, edges broken and smoothed, but once you're there - priceless!
 
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